The Dos and Don'ts of Garbage Disposals

Garbage disposals … We know it’s something you use every day, but we also know they can be temperamental if not treated right. Since a new one can cost anywhere from $100 to $300, we thought we’d share some basic dos and don’ts to avoid clogged sinks and to ensure your garbage disposal is around for a while. You’ll notice that the “don’t” list is a bit longer!

Dos

Do run your garbage disposal regularly, you don’t want to overload it if it’s not necessary. This can also help beat rust and corrosion and keep all its parts moving.

Do run cold water from the faucet every single time you use your disposal. This keeps the food scraps moving and will solidify any grease that may build up and enables your garbage disposal to grind it up more easily.

Do cut or break up larger items into smaller, easier-to-manage pieces. This prevents the system from getting clogged.

Do let small chicken and fish bones, egg shells and small fruit pits get ground up in your disposer. They can create a scouring action that will clean the disposal’s walls.

Do make sure your splash guard isn’t damaged, pieces of food from your disposal could spray out of it. If it is damaged, you’ll want to replace it.

Don’ts

Don’t pour oil, fat or grease down your garbage disposal. It will eventually build up and cause problems.